Saving Ingram Dunes

The South Carolina Conservation Bank has awarded the city of North Myrtle Beach $510,000 for Ingram Dunes.

The grant, along with money pledged by the city and citizen contributions, will be used toward the purchase of a historic 9.4 acre site in the heart of the city, known to locals as Ingram Dunes. This is the first award from the South Carolina Conservation Bank in Horry County since 2005. It is a very exciting and monumental time for North Myrtle Beach and all of Horry County.

Since its inception the Conservation Bank has contributed less than one percent of the total 151 million dollars awarded statewide to Horry County. This grassroots, citizen-led push for the conservation of this property will not only benefit the city of North Myrtle Beach but will serve as a catalyst for future conservation and preservation in Horry County.

North Myrtle Beach community members along with city representatives, conservation advocates, property owners and land trust representatives waited with anticipation as the grant awards were announced. It was just last year that the South Carolina Conservation Bank was reauthorized after losing its funding in 2016. Everyone in attendance listened as each application was presented and the suggested award amount was announced for the Bank Board members to vote to fund, hold or deny. A gasp of astonishment filled the room when the suggested award of $510,000 was presented to the board to approve for the application of the city of North Myrtle Beach for the purchase of Ingram Dunes. It was one of the largest grants awarded all day. The excitement was tangible.

Out of a total of 5.35 million dollars awarded by the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the city of North Myrtle Beach received $510,000.
However, the work is not done. By May 1, 2019, the city of North Myrtle Beach needs to let the South Carolina Conservation Bank know if the property can be purchased and closed by June 30, 2019. The reason for this deadline is that the bank must disperse all the funds allotted for this year. There is no carryover of funds. Additional funding is needed to purchase the entire 9.4 acre tract of land. Before the meeting room door even closed behind them, community members began discussing fundraising opportunities. Even though this is a tremendous win for the city of North Myrtle Beach and Horry County, we must cross the finish line.

Let the fundraising begin. The city of North Beach is still accepting tax-deductible donations at City Hall or via mail: 1018 Second Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29582.

The North Myrtle Beach Historic Preservation Society will be hosting another fundraising event for Ingram Dunes and collecting donations at the St. Patrick’s Day Festival on Saturday, March 16.

Let’s come together as a community to carry this project over the finish line and begin our conservation legacy in North Myrtle Beach and Horry County.